Using fedora instead of ipcop

[Matt Graham]

From: Eric Shubert
> Nadim Hoque wrote:
>> So I was wondering if I could use my fedora machine as a router
>> for my house. I did find a pretty good guide on how to do it but
>> I think it assumes u are using 1 ethernet card.

Usually, machines used as gateways have 2 NICs.  At least,
that's how I've always done it, but then I've had this DEC Tulip
PCI card for 7 years (and a 3c509 ISA card before that) for use
as the external interface.

> That would be possible of course, but not recommended. Too many
> mixed kinds eggs in the same basket, so to speak.
> 
> To do so, you'll need to have IP forwarding turned on, and you'll
> need to set up NAT as well. I'd only do it again if absolutely 
> necessary.

Follow the IP-Masqing HOWTO for directions on how to do that on any
Linux box.  That doesn't cover setting up an iptables firewall on 
the external interface, though, and you *really want* to do that.

I had a separate firewall/gateway box for a while, and found that
it didn't add any value for my 2- or 3-machine home network where
99% of the time I was the only user.  YMMV, obviously--my desktop's
always running Linux so it can run whatever iptables rules would be
in a dedicated firewall box.

-- 
Matt G / Dances With Crows
The Crow202 Blog:  http://crow202.org/wordpress/
There is no Darkness in Eternity/But only Light too dim for us to see